Artificial Turf: Change From the Ground Up

SI Staff | May 21, 2014

Artificial Turf: Change From the Ground Up

Wendell Davis’s freak injury on the notorious rug at Veterans Stadium in ’93 may have been a tipping point on attitudes toward artificial turf, and prompted an SI feature on its dangers.

Wendell Davis’s freak injury on the notorious rug at Veterans Stadium in ’93 may have been a tipping point on attitudes toward artificial turf, and prompted an SI feature on its dangers

Davis tore both patellar tendons when he planted to leap for a Jim Harbaugh pass; shortly after surgery, he was wheelchair-bound, with both legs in casts. (David Walberg/Sports Illustrated)

Davis tore both patellar tendons when he planted to leap for a Jim Harbaugh pass; shortly after surgery, he was wheelchair-bound, with both legs in casts. (David Walberg/Sports Illustrated)

Two scars attest to the damage done; Davis never played another NFL game. (David Walberg/Sports Illustrated)

Two scars attest to the damage done; Davis never played another NFL game. (David Walberg/Sports Illustrated)

Crews worked the turf at the Vet in ’98, one of the dual-purpose stadiums built in the frenzy for functionality that began in the ’60s. (Chris Gardner/AP)

Crews worked the turf at the Vet in ’98, one of the dual-purpose stadiums built in the frenzy for functionality that began in the ’60s. (Chris Gardner/AP)

The city of Philadelphia, owner of the Vet, finally tore up the old astroturf in March 2001. (Jon Adams/AP)

The city of Philadelphia, owner of the Vet, finally tore up the old astroturf in March 2001. (Jon Adams/AP)

The new surface had problems of its own: A preseason game against the Ravens in ’01 was cancelled when Baltimore coach Brian Billick complained that the field was too dangerous. (Tom Mihalek/AFP/Getty Images)

The new surface had problems of its own: A preseason game against the Ravens in ’01 was cancelled when Baltimore coach Brian Billick complained that the field was too dangerous. (Tom Mihalek/AFP/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb and the Eagles closed out the Vet's history with a playoff loss to the Bucs in January 2003. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)

Donovan McNabb and the Eagles closed out the Vet's history with a playoff loss to the Bucs in January 2003. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)

Fans bid goodbye, though few players were shedding any tears for the Vet. (Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated)

Fans bid goodbye, though few players were shedding any tears for the Vet. (Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated)